Monday, April 13, 2009

At Pismo Beach

The beginning of the spring quarter is a new start. It is the time of the year when the earth looks splendid, but you can’t really spare the time to recline on a summer chair and leisurely build castles in the air. But you can do the next best thing. You can steal a few hours to build sandcastles by the beachside instead and soak your legs in the briny waters. The sands do shift fast and the waves come crashing towards you at a terrific pace, don’t they? It’s better to surf the calm seas before they turn turbulent in thunderstorms. I used this heavy logic to convince myself that I needed a quick break to rejuvenate myself before I immersed myself in another intense quarter. It was a decision which made my weekend positively exciting because I was down at Pismo beach with family and friends this weekend, having just the sort of quality fun that I crave for.


It was Sunday. The sun was shining, and the Oceanside was mildly crowded. But the people were lazy. Even the little sandpipers looked quite at ease with the world as they walked about here and there, pleasurably gulping down little worms along the way. It looked like the perfect illusion of peace---it was just that sort of little place which makes you feel like time is slow and always handy. It’s that exact situation where you feel humbled before the vastness that is the ocean, yet enjoy the sublime experience of having all your fears swept away. My heart throbbed as I stood by the ocean, and felt the sands below my feet shift and move away rapidly with the waves. I enjoyed the sensation. After the initial reluctance, I dived right in. We formed a human chain and screamed at the top of our lungs as we bobbed up and down with the waves. It is one of those very stupid things which bought immense relief. The sound of the waves in my ears has a strangely soothing effect on me; it echoed deep harmony and oneness with the Ocean. But I could also feel the pulse of the pacific as the waves hit my back and I screamed in delight. I felt absolutely wild, untamed and free—like there weren’t any rules to life. I felt like I could have stayed there forever.


That was only until I observed that the shadows were growing longer and my feet, more numb. I thanked the pacific, and waddled towards the beach to spend the rest of my meaningful time building a sand castle with a five year old, who cheerfully re-taught me long-forgotten rhymes.

“I love the mountains; I love the rolling hills,
I love the flowers, I love the daffodils…”

I giggled as I sang along with her, understanding how happiness could be so easy to find. I repeated in my head, “I love the beach, I love today….I love the way we had fun, and wish for it stays the same!”


At the end of the day, my hair was tangled, my feet was caked with a considerable amount of beach sand, and I was shivering in the cold. But I was still grinning as we headed back home, singing “I love the mountains…” again: The world seemed perfect once more, and it would take quite some effort to break that spell again!

20 comments:

kavya said...

Happiness comes from love ....... !!!

praneshachar said...

wow!! what a great time spent and you took me back to my child hood days when we used to at river side every summer or sea side once in a while. certainly with the crowd much less compared to our own land you must have enjoyed it to the maximum. gigling sound of waves with human chian of family and friends what else you need we can recall sarvajna in kiannada "swargakke kittchu hacheenda sarvagna". I must say comand over language by you is unmatchable I wish I will read a novel written by lakshmi in my post retiral days sitting comfortable with a plate of kodboles for munching and hot cup of coffee and reading one page after other ah ah!!! wish this time flies soon and I imagine myself above scene. hats off for a gr8 post. have a wonderful term ahead. all the best
pranesh

Mohammed Musthafa said...

hey...didnt knw where else to reply...thnks for ur comment on my post...sriously....its comments frm people like you tht makes it worth blogging!!!

and abt ur post...sure...i'd love it if u referred to my post....feel free! jus let me knw when the post is done...wud like to read it...

thnks!

Ajai said...

Wow! Just happened to pass by your blog. I'm bang in the middle of my exams and reading your blog brought out the longing in me for that elusive holiday. Thanks for that. Gives me something to look forward to when i'm done. Loved the little song especially.. think i'm going to be humming it for some time. :)

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

Kav: Yes it does!!! :-) Looks like we have something in common! :D
Praneshachar: Thanks for the comment!! Very very meaningful quote there by sarvagna...thanks for sharing it! And some rainy day when im older, i hope to read a similar book written by one Mr. Praneshchar on his life experiences as well! Yenanthiraa?
Mohammad: Hey, welcome! And thanks for the permission. WIll let u knw when the post is done. BTW, have to compliment u...hav an amazing fanbase, u have! hope u get back to blogging soon...those guys will miss you, you know!
Ajai: All the best of luck with your exams! and welcome to my blog! Its good to have something to look forward to at the end of every day...hope u have wonderful vacations soon!

Sandy said...

Love Your Blog Lakshmi! I am so glad i came across it..your writing comes across to the reader so vividly! Keep up the great work hun..look forward to reading more :)

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

Sandy: Thanks a lot for dropping by!! :-) Your so interesting! Natural remedies..herbal teas on winter days..ummhmm..just my kind of things! U'll find me commenting on yours as well! Thanks for deciding to follow my blog! :-) keep visiting!

praneshachar said...

kanasu kanodralli tappilla
kanasu nanasadre nanu dhanya
yenanthira andre ide nanna uttara
have gr8 time
pranesh

Flowergirl said...

Hi:

I am here for the first time.

Your this post took me back four years when I had excellent time chasing the waves with my friends sand escaping under our feet.

Thanks for the post
Cheers!

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

sindu: oh, welcome then!!! :-) Thanks for remembering...that was all this post was about..so i can remember my experiences, and be reminded of them just the way u have been! Thanks for visiting! :-)

flowergirl said...

Living by the beach, I know the feeling! I love to dig my toes into the wet sand and have the waves wash over them!

And the sticky, salty feel you have at the end of the day!

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

Flowergirl: Wow, are u lucky!! By the beach!!...that must make quite a sight..:) I totally understand what you are talking about! Thanks for the comment!

Deepthi said...

wow, the beach looks amazing....dude, i wish i was there!!!!
anyway, when u come back, tell me all about it!!!
love,
deeps

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

i wish u were too, deeps!!! :)...will tell ya abt it!! uve earned that exclusive interview frm me, once im bac on my easy chair on the balcony! :D

DINTOONS said...

ah what a charming view of the world! thanks for sharing, and great blog you have here! :o)

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

dintoons: Thanks. :-) (excuse the smiley face. It might not be as good as your handdrawn ones. They're sooo cute!) :-)

Kamini said...

Lovely post! I felt as if I had spent a day on the beach!

Disha said...

Wow! A fabulous write-up. The pictures are awesome. You are too good, and I've almost run out of words! Excellent! You must have got a calm break from your hectic studies. Keep up to your photography, I'm sure we'll make a photo blog one day! Keep it up!!!

Mahesh Sindbandge said...

I liked this expereince of yours very much....

You have got nice stuff...

Would love to know your take on mine :P

Cheers..

Lakshmi Bharadwaj said...

Mahesh: thanks. will go thru ur posts soon as I drink my evening tea...you've got quite an interesting story going there!